Fibe escape



P. F. JENSEN.

rml-1 ESCAPE.'

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20, 1920.

1,431,001, i Patented 001;. 3, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

[f7 IVe/z im P. F. JENSEN.

l FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2o. 1920.

1,431,001, Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

7 I gniof elements `Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER F. JENSEN, OE BASSE'IT, NEBRASKA.

FIRE ESCAPE.

Application filed February 20, 1920. Serial No. 360,145.

Bassett, in the county of Rock and State of` Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire Escapes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a fire escape, and one object is to provide an element which shall be continuously movable when in operation, and which shall be provided with supporting means, and mechanism for imparting the aforesaid movement, and retarding the rate of movement.

A further object is to provide a continuously movable element, in the nature of a chain belt, operating means therefor, and a suitable supporting structure on which the chain and operating means are mounted.

A still further object is to provide a movable element of the type indicated, with means applied thereto constituting supporting devices, means for imparting movement to the travelingl element, and a frame eX- tending at an incline from the lower story of a building to the roof thereof, this frame serving to mount the operative elements of the apparatus.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a view of the apparatus in perspective, in operative position, a portion of the wire netting being removed,

Figure 2 is a detail of a portion of the operating mechanism,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of the device,

Figure 4 is a detail view of the brake mechanism.

Figure 5 is a detail view of the wire belt, with one of the steps applied thereto.

In carrying out my invention I provide a frame which serves the purpose of an inclined plane, this frame comprising a plurality of longitudinal members which are preferablyof angle bar construction, being V-shaped in cross section.

This frame is placed in such position that one of the windows on each floorwill pro-- vide access to the fire escape, and provision is made for controlling the device wholly from the ground, where it may be operated by experienced persons, such as firemen or others having' knowledge of the manner of operation.

The longitudinal. angle irons are desig nated 10 and the frame formed of these elements is secured to the wall of the building` by means of braces 12. Additional angle irons 13 are mounted below those first named on brackets 13 and are spaced therefrom, and the traveling element, or the lower run of the latter, passes between the two frames. The upper run of the traveling element passes over the angular portions of the V- shaped bars of the main frame.

An upper transverse shaft 15 carries sprocket wheels 16 and 17 and a drum 18. The lower transverse shaft 2O carries sprocket wheels 21 and 22, chains 23 and 24 passing around the sprocket wheels of the respective shafts. An additional shaft 25 near the lower end constitutes a brake shaft and carries a wheel 26 around which partially passes a brake band 27 which is secured thereto. This brake shaft is con trolled by a crank 28, and the shaft 20 is operated by cranks 29 and 30, permitting two persons to assist in the operation of the traveling member. A brake cable 31 connects with the brake band and passes around an upper brake drum 18 on the shaft 15.

A heavy wire belt is connected with the sprocket chains and passes around the upper and lower transverse shafts, the lower run of the belt being supported by the angle bars 13 above mentioned. A plurality of steps 36 are connected with the netting or belt at suitable intervals and are intended to support persons descending, the latter being in a standing or sitting position as may be preferred. The upper edges of the steps are secured directly to the traveling element, and the lower edges are secured thereto by means of links 38, permitting the steps to pass around the lower shaft.

Standards l l0 and a wire netting 41 may be provided on the outer side of the frame, for the protection of persons descending, and it will of course be understood that the entire apparatus is of such strength as will permit the larger portion of the upper surface to be occupied, the extent of that surface depending, in turn, upon the height of the building.

It should be added that the drum or wheel on the upper transverse shaft acts in connection with the flat steel band 44 as a retarding device, in cooperation with the brake at the lower end.

What I claim is 1. In a fire escape, a frame mounted upon a building and inclined to the vertical and comprising a plurality of trough-shaped members disposed side by side with their lower adjacent 'longitudinal edges in contact, an endless member mounted on the frame and'liavin'g the latter disposed between its upper and lower runs, and supporting means at'intervals in the length of the endless member. e 2. In a re' escape for buildings, upper and lower sets of brackets projected from the building, upper and lower frames secured 'to the respective sets of brackets and inclined to the vertical, sprocket wheels at the ends of t-he upper frame, sprocket chains mounted on the sprocket wheels, a wire belt attached to the sprocket chains, steps at intervals in the length of the wire belt, standards projected-upwardly from the outer ends of the upper brackets, a guard supported by said standards, the lower brackets and frame providing a support for the lower run of the belt, and a brake mechanism for controlling the movements of the traveling member.

In testimony whereof I aix my signatur(- in presence' of two witnesses.

` PETER F. JENSEN. Witnesses H. J. MILLER', CHAS. B. DALE. 

